The Cartographers’ Guild is a forum created by and for map makers and aficionados, a place where every aspect of cartography can be admired, examined, learned, and discussed. Our membership consists of professional designers and artists, hobbyists, and amateurs—all are welcome to join and participate in the quest for cartographic skill and knowledge.

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Leather Reproduction of Thror's Map (From 'The Hobbit')

Hello folks,

Really excited to join the community! I'm very interested in cartography but as I have more hobbies than one can shake a stick at, I don't indulge myself as often as one may. I have two maps that I deem worthy of being displayed. The first is this leather copy of Thror's Map that J.R.R. Tolkien drew for the original printing of The Hobbit. I have actually made four copies of this map in leather as commission work, but the one photographed here is the most accurate in its detail and nicely executed of the lot. None of the artwork is traced - it is all copied by eye from a smaller photo of the original map to the leather in pencil before being incised. This one is 22" wide and about 18.5" tall.

Hope you enjoy it. Cheers!

-Gerhard von Liebau

And finally, an exacting facsimile of the original by way of comparison.